Jumping, exercise, and play device



Sept. 17, 1963 D. M. WOOD JUMPING, EXERCISE,

AND PLAY DEVI CE Filed Jan. ll. 1961 INVENTOR. DORATHY MACHADO WOOD, BY 4% ATTQR N E Y United States Patent 3,104,104 JUMPING, EXERCISE, AND PLAY DEVICE Dorathy Machado Wood, 6782 Milner Road, Hollywood 28, Calif. Filed Jan. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 81,972 6 Claims. (Cl. 272-74) This invention relates to a rotating exercise and play or, game device, more particularly adapted for the enter-- tainment and enjoyment of children and to provide them with a safe mode of exercising. The device may similarly be enjoyed by adults.

Basically, the toy is a rotating mechanical device providing a rotating arm or member over which a person can jump in the manner of jumping rope although the device oifers many other possibilities as will be explained hereinafter.

The particular device of this invention was originated and created to fill a need for such a toy or device by means of which exercise of an active nature might be had particularly in a confined area without the risks of darnaging household articles, gardens, automobiles, windows, etc., usually involved when ordinary and customary forms of active exercise and games are indulged in. Games and exercise involving the use of balls, bats, rackets, jumping ropes, etc., virtually always involve danger of possible damage to property. Such articles are also of course always susceptible to the risk of rnisplacement. In inclement weather when children must remain indoors, they are often hardpressed to contain their excess energies and to find suitable safe outlets for them.

The herein invention meets the above described needs and provides a means whereby children and adults will be enabled to expend their energies constnuctively and enjoyably. The invention may be used indoors in a classroom or at home in the house, in the basement or garage. In areas where there is small play space outdoors, such as in the vicinity of city apartments, children may play with the invention on an ordinary sidewalk where there is no risk of damage to neighbors windows, gardens, parked cars or themselves.

The invention in a preferred form consists of an arm that describes a circle in the air over which a child or player may jump. The height of the swinging arm above the ground is preferably adjustable and also its length is adjustable. The arm may turn as low as about three inches above the ground. A child of about seven and most persons can jump over an arm which swings about one foot above the ground and it has been found that a length of about three feet is adequate for one person to jump. The arm is rotatably supported on a column, tube or shaft from a base or from suitable feet on the end of a leg or legs. The arm may be equally proportioned on opposite sides of the rotating column or it may be longer on one side and counter-balanced on the other. Preferably, the device is constructed for complete safety as will be described more in detail hereinafter such as by using round balls of soft or harder material on all the small ends or protruding parts. The rotating member or members may be made more visible against expected backgrounds of sidewalk, grass, macadarn or on the other hand, wood floors or rugs by using bright, visible and possibly contrasting colors.

The invention offers many possible ways and variations of play with it besides simply jumping over the arm as it comes around, all of which will be referred to more in detail hereinafter.

' The primary object of the invention is to provide a rotating play device or toy as described capable of fulfilling the need for such an appliance which can safely provide an outlet for the players energies more particularly in confined areas.

Another object is to provide a play device or appliance as in the foregoing comprising a horizontally supported rotatable arm or comparable member, the arm preferably being adjustable in height and length to adapt itself for children to jump over and otherwise to utilize in the playing of games and exercising.

Another object is to provide a device or appliance as in the foregoing object having power means for rotating the arm which may be of any suitable type adapted for manipulation and operation by a child.

Another object is to provide a device or appliance as in the foregoing wherein all parts are so configurated or protected as to make it completely safe for children from the standpoint of stepping on it, falling over it or the like.

Another object is to provide a device as in the foregoing wherein a part or parts of the device are in the form of a fanciful figure, such as a clown or the like.

Another object is to provide a device or appliance as in the foregoing including musical sound producing means operable by rotation of the arm. 7

Further objects and numerous additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a simplified form of the invention;

' FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section of the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view (taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a sound producing device which may be embodied in the invention of the previous figures;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a modified form of the invention driven by a spring motor;

FIG. '6 is a view of a modified form of the invention showing a fanciful figure supported on the arm;

FIG. 7 is -a view of a detail illustrating another way of supporting the vertical column;

FIG. 8 is a view of a modified form of mounting of the rotating member; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention. 1 I

Referring now more in detail to the figures of the drawing, FIG. 1 shows a form of the device comprising a vertical column having a tubular part 10 and a telescoping rod or stem 11 fitting in it as shown. These parts may be relatively adjusted vertically and the adjustment set by the wing nut or set screw 13. A base is provided by the foot members 15 and 16. These may be wire or rod members bent into the shape as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown, these members form legs protruding through openings or slots circumferentially arranged in the bottom of the tube or column 10. The inner parts of the members 15 and 16 may be bent upwardly in an inverted U-shape as shown at 18 and 26 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and a book 22 on the end of a coil spring 23 may be hooked into these members as shown in FIG. 2, the other end of the spring being held by a transverse rod 24. The rubber band or coil spring may assemble head, column and feet if column is not adjustable. The construction just described provides a very conven- .ientway of assembling the base or feet on the column.

At the ends of the members 15 and 16 are provided the round balls as shown at 26 which might be I made of plastic or cork material or nubber to protect against the child being injured by the ends or tips of these members. Rod 24 is eliminated when the head column and feet are assembled as described above.

The column has been shown as telescoping and in two parts; it is to be understood that more telescoping members may be utilized if desired. The materials may be plastics, or metals or wood.

At the upper end of the column, that is at the top of the member 11 which is preferably tubular, there is provided a head member of spherical shape 28 which may be made of any suitable material such as plastic or metal or other material. This head member may have a face or cartoon inscribed thereon as shown or may be sculptured three dimensionally as a face or other object. The upper end of the member 11 is formed with an arcuate, that is :a spherical configuration, as shown at 29 and this forms :a bearing :and the member 28 rotatably rides on this bearing as may be seen in FIG. 2. Bearing surfaces of the head column may be also beveled or flat as well as arcuate with maximum or minimum contacting surfaces varying the friction and therefore the speed of the rotating arm.

Extending transversely through the head member 28 is an arm 31 which may be made of any suitable material; it may be made of wire, or any flexible material which is not easily broken and on which a child is not apt to be injured. Preferably, a small round ball is provided at each end of the arm 31 for protective purposes and as shown, a counterbalance of heavier weight which may be several balls as 32, 33 and 34 are provided on the shorter end of the arm as shown.

The head 23 and arm 31 are rotated in a horizontal plane so that a child may jump over the rotating arm in the manner of jumping rope. The arm itself may be on an angle to the horizontal plane. FIG. 2 shows one form of rotating the arm. Numeral 36 designates a hook extending downwardly from the head 28 engaging the upper end of a rubber band or coil spring 37, the lower end of which is attached to a hook 38 in the lower end of member 11. The head and arm may be wound up by holding them and rotating the column manually in one direction to wind up the rubber band or coil spring after which when the arm is released, it rotates in the opposite direction under the influence of the rubber band or coil spring as it unwinds. The device may be made to rotate at a convenient speed suitable for a child to jump over it as it rotates or to play other games with it as will be described.

The arm 31 may be made adjustable in length and it may be made telescoping similarly to the column which supports it.

The arm 31 may be rotated by other means such as by a battery driven electric motor or an electric motor operated from house current through a cord which may have a suitable covering to protect it against damage when stepped on by childen.

The arm may also be rotated by other devices such as a clock spring motor as illustrated in FIG. 5. The clock spring motor is provided in housing 41 at the upper end of the column, that is at the upper end of the member 11 which may be tubular or a solid rod not shown and attached by a collar 42. The clock spring motor may be of a known type which simply drives a vertical shaft which rotates the arm 31 through a gear train. Numeral 43 designates a winding handle for the clock spring. The handle 43 may be in any convenient position and a guard may be placed over it to protect against a child being injured when coming in contact with it. If desired, the clock spring motor may be of a type having a governor which controls the speed of the rotative output and an adjustment may be provided to regulate the speed of operation. Such adjustment is designated in FIG. by the numeral 44 which is an adjusting pointer which may be adjusted relatively between fast and slow positions.

FIG. 6 shows a modified form of the invention wherein the support for the rotating arm 31 is in the form of a fanciful figure such as a clown, rather than being a plain upright column. The same type of upright column may be used with the fanciful figure formed around the column using a similar type of base or similar feet for support.

Simulated hands, such as shown at 46 and 47, may be provided at the end of the arm 31.

FIG. 7 shows a slight modification wherein a pointed member 49 is provided at the lower end of the column or tubular member It} for insertion into the ground so that the device can be directly supported in that manner.

The dimensions of the device are not critical and may be varied depending on the age of the players intended to use it. As stated in the foregoing, representative dimensions are an arm swinging about one foot above the ground with the arm about three feet in length. The arm may be tapered and might, for example, resemble a fishing rod having comparable flexibility. A knurled or grooved circular member around the tubular part 11 might be provided adjacent the upper part for Windin g up the motor whether a rubber band, coil spring, or a clock spring motor is used.

FIG. 4 shows an additional feature which may be incorporat-ed in a slightly modified version of the invention. In this form of the invention, a rod or stem 50' extends through a hollow chamber member 51 and turns the top which is a circular head member 28 for the rotating arm 31'. The hollow chamber member may be made of wood, plastic, metal or other suitable sounding material, and be a cylinder, cone or *spheroid shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical on the outside. This hollow chamber has on the inside inwardly extending ribs 54, also of sounding material, which may be of ditferent width, length and spacing so that when they are struck by the plucking finger member 55 carried on stem 50 when it transcribes its constant arc, musical sounds or melodies may be produced. As shown in FIG. 4, the hollow chamber 51 is fixed and does not turn, but the stem 50' bearing the plucking finger 55, being coupled to the driving motor whether rubber band, coil spring, or band spring motor, does rotate itself and the flat head member 28' on its top at bearing mem ber 53, and therefore rotate member arm 31. The hollow chamber member 51 has holes 57 to allow the sounds to escape. FIG. 4 illustrates a type of musical or sound making means that may be incorporated in the in vention and operated thereby. In another version, not shown, the hollow chamber 51 may rotate, turning both arm 31' and itself and plucking its ribs 54' upon the plucking member 55 which fixed to the stem 50', which remains stationary, as does the supporting column. Other types of musical devices or sound producing means may be incorporated in the invention to emit music when the device is in motion, and add to the pleasure of the players. This sound-making device may be utilized in other ways as a toy by itself, or in other toys or objects, and the sound may be activated by a windup motor, electric motor, or hand crank. A free swinging pendulum with a striking ball upon the end to contact the ribs may be used instead of the plucking member 55' on the constantly positioned stem 50. By calculated spacing of ribs 54, different musical sounds and melodies may be produced.

FIG. 8 is a modification in which head 28 has a bevel 60 which rotates on the end of column 11. Hook 36 hooks onto part 61 of head 28.

FIG. 9 is a modified form having telescoping column parts 10, 11 and 11. The foot 63 is a three-pointed star shape integral with column 10. The rotating head 65 has the shape shown and is slotted as shown at 66 so arm 3-1 can assume angular positions, arm 31 being made telescoping as shown. The driving means, whether rubber band or spring may be wound by means of knurled band 69, that is turning the knob.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that the device or toy of the invention is preferably designed and constructed so as to be completely safe irrespective of the relationship of the child or player to it.

In operation, it is wound up or turned on in the manner described depending on the type of drive. If desired, a starting pin or brake may 'be used such as shown at 59 in FIG. 2 which protrudes through an opening in the side of the tube 11 to engage either the rubber band or coil spring 37 or the hook 136 to prevent rotation until this pin is disengaged. Preferably, the device is placed in the center of a circle which may be laid out in any convenient manner. There are many possible ways that the player can use the device besides just jumping over the arm as it rotates. Two players may jump over by standing in opposite quadrants facing the arm as it comes toward them. Different types of jumps may be made. Or on the other hand, the player or jumper may run in and out as is done in some jump rope games. Different types of games and rules may be organized and arranged. Or on the other hand, the player may run around in front of the arm or in and out trying to avoid being touched. Also, variations of hopscotch can he played with the device. Small devices such as a balloon or a tiny toy or a pennant may be attached to the rotating arm as is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

When the device is used indoors, a suction cup may be used on the bottom of the column for securing it on smoothly finished floors to avoid marring them. In a playground, a permanent hole may be provided if desired for removably mounting the column of the device.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will observe that the invention achieves the advantages and ob jects outlined in the foregoing in a very effective and useful manner. The device of the invention whether characterized as an appliance or as a toy fulfills a definite need for a means to provide an outlet for the excessive energies of children and adults. It provides a fascinating means of entertainment, enjoyment, recreation and physical activity. It is particularly effective for its purpose in confined areas.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a device comprising an upright column formed by telescoping tubular members adjustable for height, means comprising a rotatable arm mounted for rotation extending transversely from the axis of the column at the upper part of said column at a level such that a child may jump over it while rotating, means at the upper part of the column for setting the rotatable arm at a variable angle, means acting through the column for rotating the said arm at a suitable speed, and means for supporting the column in an upright position.

2. As an article of manufacture, a play and exercise device comprising an upright column, means comprising a rotatable arm extending transversely at the upper part of the column, said arm being positioned to rotate at a level at which a player may jump over the rotating arm, means for rotating the arm at a speed such as to permit a child to jump over it, means for supporting the column in an upright position, the column including an upper tubular member having an arcuate bearing surface at its upper end, and said arm including a part having at least a partial spherical portion supported on and rotatable with respect to the bearing surface formed at the upper portion of said tubular member.

3. The article as in claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said arm comprises a tensioned torsionally resilient member Within said tubular member and connected to said part of said rotating arm to draw it against the bearing surface at the upper end of the tubular memher.

4. A play and exercise device comprising: an upright stationary column; a rotary member journalled on the upper end of said column for rotation about a vertical axis; an arm extending laterally from said rotary member and rotatable therewith; and motor means on said column, drivingly connected to said rotary member for rotating the same about said axis, said column comprising a plurality of telescopically engaged members relatively adjustable along said axis; said rotar member and said motor means being mounted on the uppermost of said telescopically engaged members and being vertically adjustable therewith.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 including a rotatable sound producing means on said column, said motor means being drivingly connected thereto.

6. A device as defined in claim 4 including means for regulating the speed of operation of said motor means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 956,838 Treanor May 3, 1910 1,265,476 Mills May 7, 1918 2,655,376 Hull Oct. 13, 1953 

4. A PLAY AND EXERCISE DEVICE COMPRISING: AN UPRIGHT STATIONARY COLUMN; A ROTARY MEMBER JOURNALLED ON THE UPPER END OF SIAD COLUMN FOR ROTATION ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS; AN ARM EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID ROTARY MEMBER AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH; AND MOTOR MEANS ON SAID COLUMN, DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID ROTARY MEMBER FOR ROTATING THE SAME ABOUT SAID AXIS, SAID COLUMN COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TELESCOPICALLY ENGAGED MEMBERS RELATIVELY ADJUSTABLE ALONG SAID AXIS; SAID ROTARY MEMBER AND SAID MOTOR MEANS BEING MOUNTED ON THE UPPERMOST OF SAID TELESCOPICALLY ENGAGED MEMBERS AND BEING VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE THEREWITH. 